TBI: Man in custody tried to take deputy’s gun at Bristol Regional, leading to shot fired

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) released new information Thursday after a gun was discharged inside Bristol Regional Medical Center Wednesday night.

According to the TBI, agents have been requested by the district attorney’s office to investigate after the weapon was fired.

The TBI reports a Sullivan County deputy and a man who had been taken into custody Tuesday night were involved in the incident. The man in custody had been transported to the hospital for evaluation.

While the deputy was adjusting restraints on the man, he reportedly became “physically combative” and tried to take the deputy’s gun. The struggle resulted in a shot being fired from the weapon while it was still holstered, the TBI stated in a news statement.

No one was hit by the fired shot.

According to the TBI, the man continued to struggle and grabbed the deputy’s baton. He then reportedly started to strike himself with it before he was subdued.

The bureau reports the man became unresponsive shortly after the incident and remains hospitalized as of Thursday morning.

The Sullivan County deputy was also injured in the incident. The TBI did not describe the extent of the deputy’s injuries.

The incident prompted a response by the Bristol Tennessee Police Department. Ballad Health also issued an active shooter alert despite no active shooter being present to ensure the safety of staff and patients. A lockdown was also briefly activated out of caution.

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